Artificial tooth



Feb. 24, 1931-.

C. A. WALSH ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Filed March 13, 1929 Patented Feb. 24, 1931i Price I CARLIN A. WALSH, OF OAMBlE-ZZDGE; MASSACHUSETTS ARTIFICIALTOOTH Application filed March 13, 1929. Serial No. 346,732.

My present invention relates to artificial teeth, and includes novelfeatures of construction which enable teeth constructed accordingto saidinvention to be used either as pivot teeth or in association withbridgework.

An important object of the present invention'consists in the provisionof an artificial tooth formed with metallic backing and reinforcingplate, and in providing said backing plate with a substantiallyvertically extending pin which preferably projects above thegingival'edge for attachment to a. root, when used as a pivot tooth.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing said metallicbacking plate with a laterally projecting lip or lips, integral withsaid backing plate, to provide a strong incisal edge or surface. 7

A further object of the invention resides in providing the main bodyportion of the tooth, which is preferably formed of porcelain or otherceramic material, with a plurality of ledges or shoulders, against whichportions of thebacking plate will bear, to provide reinforcements forsaid backing plate to prevent vertical movement thereof during biting orchewing.

Another object of the invention consists in inclining one of said ledgesin such manner as to prevent any rocking of the backing plate.

A still further feature of the invention re-' sides in providing theporcelain body of the tooth with a substantially vertical recess,adjacent to one of said shoulders, through which the aforesaid pin willpass, said pin preferably extending substantially above the gingivaledge of the tooth and by means of which the tooth may be fixed as apivot tooth to a natural root.

In the event that it is desired to ailin my novel tooth to a bridge,instead of to a natural root, the pin may be sheared ofi at the top ofthe porcelain body and cemented or otherwise secured to the bridge.

My present tooth is strong, efficient, simple and economical tomanufacture, easy to apply or install, and since I believe the same isnovel, I have-therefore claimed said tooth broadly in the presentapplication.

The above and other features ofthe invention, details of constructlon,combinations of parts, and advantages, will be hereinafter more fullypointed out, described and claimed.

Referrin to the ClIlWlINS illustratin a b b 7 a:

preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 1s a front elevation of an 11161801'6111- bodying my invention;

Fig, 2 is a side elevation of said incisor; Flg. 3 ma rear elevation ofsaid inclsor; Fig. 41s a sectlonal side elevation of said incisor;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a molar embodying my invention;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of said molar;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a bicuspid with a slightly modified formof shoulder construction; and

Fig. 8'is a side elevation ofthe loicuspid illustrated in Fig. 7 I IReferringnow to the drawings for a particular description of theinvention, its construction and assembly, 1 designates a body portion ofporcelain or other ceramic material having a labial face 2and a face 3,forming a portion only of the lingual face of the tooth' The entiregingival, or. gum-contacting edge 4 is formed directly in the porcelainbody portion 1, thus eliminating any contact of metal at the gingivalmargin with the gum of the patient.

The'body portion 1 isprovided with a downwardly inclined shoulder orledge 5, and with a bottom edge 6, whichis preferably substantiallystraight, although it also be inclined somewhat if desired.substantially vertically through the upper portion of the body 1 is anaperture 7, the bottom of saidaperture opening onto-the shou'l der 5,and the front wall of said aperture be- Extending ing preferably acontinuation of the straight appreciated. This plate has a straight contacting face 10 adapted to contact with the straight rear face 8 of thebody 1, and tofbe cemented thereto- The p ate 9 also a face 11, whichwith the face 3 of the body 1, forms the complete lingual face of thetooth. The backing plate 9 extends below the body 1 a sufficientdistance to form the incisal or biting edge 12, and the lower portion ofthe plate has a ledge or shoulder 13 adapted to abut against the ledgeor shoulder 6 of the body 1. This construction compels all bitingtocomeon the metallic incisal edge 12, and prevents any chipping orsplitting of the labial face of the 'body l. V I

The plate 9 is also constructed or formed with an inclined upper edge14, adapted to abut against the shoulder 5 of the body 1, the upperportion of the plate 9 being thus securely housed in the recess formedby the shoulder 5, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, which willentirely eliminate any rocking of the plate. Vertically extendingfromthe top of the plate 9 is a post or pin 15, this pin passing through theaperture 7 in the body 1 and here illustrated as extending above thegingival edge v4 for a substantial distance. The tooth illustrated" inFigs. 1 to 4, with the pin or post 15 as shown, is adapted for a pivottooth, the pin 15 being embedded and anchored in a. natural root. (notshown). If, however. it should be desired to utilize this tooth in. abridge, the pin 15 would either be sheared off flush with the top of thebody 1, or would be initially constructed of such a length as nottoeXtend above the top of said bodyl- It will be readily understood andappreciated by those skilled in this art that my novel tooth is strong,rugged and efficient, is simple to manufacture, assemble and install.either as a pivot tooth or asa component part of a bridge, and ispossessed of numerous advantages and benefitsv to the wearer thereof.

While Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive illustrate my invention as applied to anincisor, my inven tion is nevertheless equally applicable to molars orbicuspids, and in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive I have illustrated theinvention as applied to these types of teeth.

In Figs. 5 and 6 illustrating a molar, 16 designates the main bodyportion of the tooth, of: porcelain or other ceramic material-having alabial face 17 and having a posterior face 18, together with a gingivaledge 19. At the lower portion ofthe body 16 is providedan abutment 20,here illustrated as straight, while the posterior portion of the body isalso provided with an abutment 21, also illustrated a as straight. r

It: will be appreciated, however, that i ,clined shoulders or abutmentsmay-be utilized if desired. Extending vertically through the bodyportion 16, from the bottom of the pos-' terior-portion of the tooth,are apertures 22, the front walls: of these apertures beingcontinuations oftheve'rtical-wall 28; A metallic backing plate or member23 has incisal or grinding surfaces 24 and a shoulder- 25 would have ancontact withthe gums. shoulders 20' and 21' Wlll effectually prevent.

ture .37 and to serve above the gingival edge 19 to act as pivot pins,

although they may be sheared off at the top of the porcelain bodyportion if desired for attachment to a bridge. lVhile I have illustratedtwo pins 29 for use in a molar, it will be appreciated that I mayutilize but a single pin if desired, the double post or pin structure,however, resulting in amuch stronger and more ruggedtooth. The posteriorface 30 of the member 23 cooperates with the posterior face 18 of theporcelain portion 16 to form the lingual face of the completed tooth. Inthis tooth. as in the tooth illustrated in Figs. 1 to- 4 inclusive,

there will be no metallic portions to come in contact with the gums ofthe wearer, the porcelain gingi val edge bein g-the only part which Theanupwa-rd'movement of the metallic mem ber 23, while the shoulder 25will eliminate splitting or chipping ofthe porcelain on the labialsurface.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate theinvention applied to a bicuspid, theporcelain body portion 31 having a labial face 32 and'aposter-ior face33, and a' gingival edge 34. The bottom of the porcelain body 3.1, atthe front there of, terminates in an inclined surface. 35, while aninclined surface or abutment36 is provided at the bottom of the tear. orposterior portion. An aperture 37 is provided through the body 311,extending,upwardly from the surface 36., the front wall of this aperturebeing a continuation of the straight surface 43. A metallicmember 38 hasgrinding surfaces 39. and has an inclined shoulder 40 to engage thesurface-35 Said member 38 also has an inclined surface 41 to engage thesurface orshoulder 36, the straight surface 42 of this member 38contacting with the wall 43 of the porcelainbody 31. All of theseaforementioned contacting surfaces and walls are adapted-to becemented-0r otherwise united. The posteriorwallor face 44 of the member38 cooperates with the posterior surface 33' of theporcelain body 31 toform the lingualfacej' of the completed tooth. I

- iroy'ecting upwardly from thesurface 41 is alpinor post 45, passing;through the aperthe same function as the ins 15'and29heretofore;describedi In all the forms of teethil-lustratediand lescribed herein the outer surfaces thereof will be smooth and even, therebeing no projecting members to annoy the wearer, and there being noobjectionable recesses or crevices to retain food. All these forms ofteeth present a neat and attractive appearance, and are strong anddurable.

The construction of each form of tooth illustrated herein provides anextremely strong retention for the backing plate or member of metal, inaddition to the cementing feature. The further feature of the pin orpost in each instan e passing through the porcelain body portion furtherincreases the strength and immovability of the metallic member.

All of these advantages will be instantly apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the benefits derived from the use of my novel teeth will beappreciated by the wearers thereof.

lVhile I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat indetail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape andarrangment of parts within reasonably wide limits without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims asfollows:

1. An artificial tooth comprising a body portion of ceramic material anda metallic backing for said body portion, said body portion and saidbacking cooperating with one another to form an artificial toothsimulating a natural tooth in size and shape, said backing having afront surface abutting a rear surface of the body portion and said bodyportion having an apertured inwardly directed extension providing ashoulder extending the entire width of the tooth and to the rear facethereof at the gingival end of the tooth against which the adjacent endof the backing abuts, said aperture extending entirely through saidextension, said backing having a pin extending through the aperture insaid inwardly directed gingival extension.

2. An artificial tooth comprising a body portion of ceramic material anda metallic backing for said body portion, said body portion and saidbacking cooperating with one another to form an artificial toothsimulating a natural tooth in size and shape, said backing having afront surface abutting a rear surface of the body portion and said bodyportion having an inwardly extending shoulder adjacent to the gingivalend of the tooth against which the adjacent end of the asking abuts,said shoulder and the adjacent end of the backing being inclinedinwardly towards the gingival end of the tooth, the said body portionhaving a vertical opening through said shoulder, and a pin on saidbacking extending through said opening. 7

8. An artificial pivot tooth comprising a body portion of ceramicmaterial and a metallic backing for said body portion, said body portionand said backing cooperating with one another to form an artificialtooth simulating a natural tooth in size and shape, said backing havinga front surface abutting a rear surface of the body portion and saidbody portion havin an apertured inwardly directed extension providing ashoulder extending the entire width of the tooth and to the rear facethereof at the gingival end of the tooth against which the adjacent endof the backing abuts, the front Wall of saidaperture being acontinuation of the rear surface of the body portion, said-shoulder andthe adj acent end ofthe backing being inclined inwardly towards thegingival end of the tooth, and a pin on said backing extending throughthe aperture in said inwardly directed extension beyond the gingival endof the tooth to constitute means for fastening the tooth in the mouth. I

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GARLIN A. WALSH.

